Mass arrests after Maldives ex-president detained

Maldives police say they have arrested scores of opposition supporters protesting at the detention of former president Mohamed Nasheed before his court appearance on abuse of power charges.

Hassan Haneef, a police spokesman, says 79 people have been taken into custody for causing "disturbances" during protests in the capital Male.

Mr Haneef says 17 women were among those arrested in Male during protests, which went on late into the night.

"There were disturbances throughout Male, but the situation is under control," he said.

Mr Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, will appear before a magistrate on charges of abusing his authority and ordering the arrest of a judge when he was in power between 2008 and 2012.

The 45-year-old, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, says the charges are politically motivated and designed to disqualify him from contesting the September 7 presidential election.

Abbas Faiz, Amnesty's Maldives researcher, says the arrest of Mr Nasheed is an example of selective justice from the Maldivian authorities.

Mr Faiz says it highlights their failure to investigate other serious rights abuses in a country better known for its upmarket tourism.

"Of course political leaders, including Nasheed, should be held to account, but the targeting of Nasheed is an example of selective justice," he said.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin says his country is monitoring developments closely.

India moved to end a political stand-off in the Maldives last month after Mr Nasheed sought refuge at the Indian embassy in Male to avoid arrest.

"We would urge all concerned to exercise caution and restraint and not to resort to any violence or extra-constitutional means and steps which would weaken the democratic system," he said.